Endoscopic removal of gastric polyps in ambulatory conditions

The study included 325 patients (age 16-89 years; 84 males and 241 females) who had undergone surgery for stomach polyps under outpatient hospital conditions. On the whole, 752 polyps were removed: 623 sat on a wide base and 129--on a pedicle. Polyps were removed if bases were under 2.5 cm in diameter and there were no concomitant grave pathologies or blood coagulation disorders. During eight years of follow-up, recurrences were identified in 18, and polyps residing in other parts of the stomach--in 114 patients. Complications which were not dangerous or required surgery occurred in 52 cases. Among the most frequent complications was bleeding which either ceased or was arrested by endoscopic hemostatics. No lethality was recorded. It is concluded that gastric polypectomy in most patients may be performed in outpatient hospitals. If carried out by experienced staff, the procedure will not involve grave complications.